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Zug's avatar
Zug
Explorer
Apr 02, 2013

TV \ Inverter

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Hey guys new here just pick up our new Rockwood Roo, I have everything set up for dry camping but the one thing I can't figure out is the TV the trailer came with a 22" LCD TV and i got a 100w inverter you just plug in to the cig plug in the wall. My problem is it will run the TV fine then for no reason the TV shuts down the just flash's green like its trying to power back up but can't I also tried another inverter a bit older but did the same thing. I only want to use this inverter to run the TV from time to time but I can't seem to find anything on the net that describes what my TV is doing.

Anyone have any thought?

Zug

20 Replies

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  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2013
    My 22" TV is an LED TV and it draws 1.4A at 12v. That's only 17 watts. I doubt yours draws over 100W but it is possible. I would be suspicious that the 12v at the socket may be low. It would be a good idea to measure it with the TV connected, or connect the TV directly to the battery with short wires as bikendan and MNtundraRet suggested. If that fails I would try a PSW inverter.
  • Zug's avatar
    Zug
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2013
    Thanks everyone i'll just save the TV for a Rainy day then run the Honda. Right now I don't want to rewire anything I thought it was just going to be a plug and play I never had a TV camping before I'm sure I can live with out it.

    Zug
  • epusher's avatar
    epusher
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2013
    Loose the MSW inverter. You can get 300 & 600 watt Pure Sine Wave inverters fairly inexpensively. Then wire it directly to the battery bank with the appropriate wire.
  • tvman44's avatar
    tvman44
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2013
    I think a 100 watts may be too small. :( Can you borrow a larger inverter from someone?
  • MNtundraRet's avatar
    MNtundraRet
    Navigator
    Apr 02, 2013
    First off your batteries must be charged up to start with. Then the problem is using the 12v plug in the wall. The wiring from battery to the plug is too small and causes voltage drop to the outlet. The voltage drop under load can be considerable. The 100 watt inverter would most likely work if it were connected with short cables (24 inches) with alligator clamps directly to the battery. The 120v ac extension-cord can be longer. A 100 watt inverter is pushing your luck.

    Your television is not receiving enough amps @12v dc to supply the minimum watts @120v ac needed to run the television (brown-out conditions). Too much of that and you will destroy the television circuits and power-block.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2013
    two things:
    1. your tv may be using more power than you think. 100w sounds too small.
    2. and your cig lighter outlet may be limiting enough power to run the inverter at the full 100w.
    you need to determine what the 12v outlet is rated at.
    try hooking the inverter right to the battery and see if the same thing happens. my guess is the 12v outlet is the issue.

    i just hard-wired my 400w inverter straight to the batteries, so there's virtually no battery power loss. my Roo didn't come with a 12v cig lighter outlet.

    you might want to ask someone on the Hybrid Forum, that has the same Roo as you do, to see if they have any similar problems.
  • Zug's avatar
    Zug
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2013
    tenbear wrote:
    If you have a modified sine wave, MSW, inverter it could be using more power generating heat. People have said that things run hotter with a MSW inverter. If you have a pure sine wave inverter, PSW, then I have no idea. If you could check the output voltage from the inverter that might be low, but most voltmeters do not read MSW voltages correctly.

    Many things do not run right with an MSW inverter.


    this is a "power gear" bought at Hme Depot it does say 100W

    Output wave Form
    modified sine wave
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2013
    If you have a modified sine wave, MSW, inverter it could be using more power generating heat. People have said that things run hotter with a MSW inverter. If you have a pure sine wave inverter, PSW, then I have no idea. If you could check the output voltage from the inverter that might be low, but most voltmeters do not read MSW voltages correctly.

    Many things do not run right with an MSW inverter.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Apr 02, 2013
    100 watts? Just too small. Look on The TV and get the amp rating. Then go buy an inverter about double that rating you should be good then.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2013
    Not sure what your problem is but there are LOTS of Rockwoods that come with a 12 volt TV with a built in inverter. Could this be your problem?

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